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Linguistics

Linguistics Program

Linguistics – the scientific study of language – is inherently interdisciplinary and
at Binghamton University crosses all three divisions of Harpur College of Arts and
Sciences: humanities, social sciences, and science and mathematics.

How is this possible?

Linguistics began as the historical study of the classical languages including Latin,
Greek and, eventually, Sanskrit, so its strong ties to literary and philosophical
studies as well as to the study of languages makes linguistics one of the humanities.

Early in the 20th century, linguistics established itself as a valuable tool in the
study of the ways of life of non-literate peoples, becoming recognized as one of the
four major subfields of anthropology and making linguistics one of the social sciences.

Later in the 20th century, many linguists identified themselves as cognitive psychologists
because linguistics is essential to an understanding of language as a human ability.
Increasing study of the biological and neurological bases of language, and development
of computational models of language processing, made the case for including linguistics
in the Division of Science and Mathematics.

Language is an object with innumerable facets, and linguistics encompasses them all,
using analytical methods, theoretical constructs and specific objects of study across
disciplinary lines. Binghamton University’s Linguistics Program provides a strong
foundation in the principles of linguistic theory and method, as well as a wide variety
of cross-disciplinary and sub-disciplinary offerings.

Undergraduate study in linguistics

Undergraduate study in linguistics serves as excellent preparation for graduate and
professional study in many fields including law, anthropology, education and counseling,
as well as linguistics itself. Students planning to pursue graduate or professional
study in any of these areas are strongly advised to keep these plans in mind as they
select courses. For example, students interested in graduate work in linguistics are
well advised to study at least two languages other than English, one a language of
scholarship and the other a non-Western language. Students considering professional
training in applied and clinical areas such as language teaching, speech/language
pathology or audiology, deaf education or counseling are urged to consult appropriate
pre-professional information sources no later than the beginning of their sophomore
year.

Career possibilities for linguistics majors

Though post-graduation options for undergraduates who major in linguistics are varied
and ever-changing, four general paths are most common:

a professional career in academics

some variation of teaching English abroad or teaching a foreign language here in the
United States

translation work in various settings, including the business world

using the major as a distinguishing feature in applications to law schools